Quick Specs

Editors' Review

This program monitors CPU usage of ongoing processes and claims to be freeware, but requires a license to eliminate the nag screen. Process Tamer has a tabbed, cluttered interface that allows users to view real-time CPU memory load, configure system and taming options, and view activity logs. The Process tab allows users to set priorities and explicit rules for running applications. Users also can set it to automatically run whenever Windows starts and to create log files. You also can regulate CPU load by configuring high and low points. The program can display helpful tool tips while navigating through the program, which adds to the ease of use. Intermediate and advanced users who want to maximize PC performance should check out Process Tamer.

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Publisher's Description

Process Tamer is a tiny and efficient utility that runs on your system tray and constantly checks the CPU usage of other processes. When it sees a process that is overloading your CPU, it reduces the priority of that process temporarily, until its CPU usage returns to a reasonable level.

-saved my old xp. it had frequent freezes, and i couldn't start (or it would take forever to start) a process manager to kill frozen programs. this beauty of a program allowed me to work on other things (unfrozen) while the frozen program loaded.
-no system impact

Does exactly what it says on the tin! My XP lap-top would regularly sieze up as the CPU usage went to 100% - not any more. Process Tamer comes in to reduce the priority of offending programs automatically, and keeps the machine available for what I want to achieve in that session.

Cons

Can't think of any cons. The suggested donation is fantastic value for money.

Summary

This is one of those worthwhile utilities that, having tried it, you wouldn't want to be without.

PC was taking four hours to virus scan and not finishing, then it just totally locked up. With Process Tamer, windows keeps operating and the scan was done under a half hour on 1.5 million files! I will be donating!

Instant response on manual interventionSped up my old creaking machine

Cons

Takes a little getting used to

Summary

Although a little sparse and - pardon the pun - utilitarian in appearance, I found on starting up for the first time this small program does exactly what it says on the tin effectively and fast. The dynamic settings are accurate and usefu enough to gauge what is happening but the revelation was being to use the "force" to instantly impose my own settings on any active program going to keep it that way.

The best ideas are simple. In PC-land they are not always effectively implemented. PorcessTamer is one big exception. I recommend after installing that you have the program open and then review what's going on before plunging headlong in. Understand what each program does and why, then be selective in what you force; you may then find you don't need to change much to see instant and long-lasting benefits while leaving many background items fully-operational. Interestingly, like other genuinely useful and powerful utilities out there it does not flatter to deceive with colourful, modern interfaces that shout much but effect little; it just gets on with the job without bothering me.

My main computer is XP, is hamstrung to 512 MB RAM (don't ask - it's a long story) and entered its seventh year displaying all the symptoms of other reviewers here so it was with real pleasure I found I could use the system to its maximum potential again after some while of constant chugging - and yes, I do keep it clean, tidy and as virus-free as possible. My main laptop is Vista with 2GB RAM - when that develops digital bronchitis this will be one of the first places I look to for instant first aid.

Everything in my old review remains accurate. I disagree with the CNET review, however: "claims to be freeware, but requires a license to eliminate the nag screen. Process Tamer has a tabbed, cluttered interface"(My comments follow in the summary)

Cons

Not a one.

Summary

I would argue that it IS freeware, despite the nag screen, which is easily resolved. You do not have to pay anything for the fully functional version.

Also, i think maybe you meant to state "uncluttered interface."That's my opinion, anyway.

This program is one of only THREE pieces of freeware that i found so excellent, i donated to its creator. The others were Spybot and CCleaner. I've used each of these for years without a single problem, and I hope they all continue to update (hint, hint, Windows 7 is here for the long haul!) for as long as computers have OSs!

I am very pleased with this product. My PC is over 5 years old, most modern software uses too much CPU resources for my machine. This program has a serious impact my machine dramatically improving performance & responsiveness. I highly recommend it

Cons

When setting up you need to decide what "hint" bubbles you want. If you don't set this right, it tends to nag but is easily resolved. You must register the program for it to work but this is free and easy to do.

Summary

I tend to use programs that are heavy resource users, such as Office 2007 and IE8. This little program can be set so that the program you are using is set to high priority, reducing others to lower priority and is fully automatic when set. It has made a massive impact on my machine and now, the only thing that does not work well is my TV program - because the computer is too old. ITS LIKE HAVING A NEW MACHINE.

Initially I had not set the hint bubbles properly and it kept on telling me what it was doing. This was very easily resolved. I can't believe such a little program can make such a massive difference, but it sure does.

I was a little surprised when I updated my TuneUp Utilities program to 2010. This has a Turbo function and if you combine this with PROCESS TAMER the results are highly impressive. I no longer crash whilst working on files and documents and freeze when editing, cutting and pasting, which I used to do practically every day. The Process Tamer has really made a big difference and I will definitely be making a donation to show my appreciation for this superb piece of software.

If you need to tweek it as time goes on, this is very easy to do, and occasionally, when you are doing something different, you may find you will need to make fine adjustments to the settings. This is so easy to do and has immediate impact.

Setting the program initially was a little confusing, but once you realise what each tab is for and "get into the mind of the developer", its actually very easy to sort out.

I highly recommend this little program - especially if, like me you have an older computer and/or are a heavy CPU resource user. You'll notice the difference straight away and I believe you will be amazed.

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